books & things Since 2008

We finally made the big move from Windows to Mac. That’s right, since 2008 we’ve been working with Windows computers and software. Changing tools was not as simple as, say, switching from an old car to a new model from a different manufacturer. It required several months of planning, as well as implementation.

The first order of business was porting over thousands of files created over the years, reorganizing them, archiving, and (in some cases) deleting, and then setting up shop in the clouds — namely, Adobe’s Creative Cloud. That meant getting all new versions of the apps we reply on, as shown in the screen-shot below.

Adobe Photoshop topped the list, and switching to the Mac version required updating all the various plug-ins, such as Retrographer for special effects. (A review of the Mac version will appear in January.) In some cases the apps we used had no Mac version, so replacements had to be found and tested.

But now all the grunt work is behind us. We’re back!—armed with MacBooks and iPads and ready for action.

Gallic Press guarantees a long hot summer with the latest translation of Pascal Garnier‘s TOO CLOSE CLOSE TO THE EDGE. We first discovered this novelist with the release of MOON IN A DEAD EYE which was one of our Favorite Books of 2014. Then we read THE PANDA THEORY and became hopelessly addicted. This latest short novel is noir for the course.CLICK TO BUY

You can’t miss with Don DeLillo—his best novel since WHITE NOISE.CLICK TO BUY

If it’s too hot in the sun, this one will give you chills. THE LONEY is eerie, odd, and beautifully written. Andrew Michael Hurley is a poet of terror.CLICK TO BUY

Wrong is an understatement with Trump at the helm, but E.J, Dionne sets the record straight on how far out the GOP has gone.CLICK TO BUY

C’mon, who doesn’t love it. Here’s the scoop, CHEDDAR: A Journey to the Heart of America’s Most Iconic Cheese? Is it lunch time yet? Say cheese!CLICK TO BUY

I made it through the spring thanks to Overlook Press and their scrumptious The Collector’s Wodehouse series. That’s not to imply that I own or have read all the titles in the series—far from it!—but I have a sizable tower of mirth within reach.

Now I’ve raved about this vast collection before (see this LINK), but it bears repeating, since you’ll not only find the seminal titles (the Jeeves & Wooster series and Blandings Castle books) but lesser known gems and stand-alones such as THE MATING SEASON and THE GIRL ON THE BOAT. All the books are beautifully crafted hardcovers, of uniform design, with wonderful cover art by Andrzej Klimowski. And these editions make grand gifts that will certainly whet one’s appetite to start collecting them. (I wonder if Overlook offers a discount for the entire series? I daresay it would cost a fortune to ship.)

Wodehouse novels and stories are a delight for all seasons. In winter, they provide spring breezes. In summer, they put you in a gently swaying hammock.

Here’s a smart (and, yes, highly opinionated) guide to the master’s works. Stephen Sondheim is, of course, the brilliant lyricist-composer who has redefined American musical theatre. Mordden’s guide is an illuminating introduction to the man and his work.

OK, here’s a fun one for Christie fans. Clearly, Christie’s cup of tea was tainted; that is to say, she preferred using poison to kill off her characters than other messier methods. This penchant for the deadly dose is, in part, explained by the author’s education and knowledge of lethal chemicals. Kathryn Harkup explores the poisons used by the murderer in fourteen Christie mysteries, and illuminates the science behind the author’s fiction.

For the budding philosopher on your list, Kamm’s work poses the classic “trolley problem” that asks the reader to confront a moral dilemma. “A train is ripping down the track at full speed, headed straight for five unsuspecting workers. If you could push the person walking next to you onto the track and save those men, would you do it?” Hmm. Those two sentences lead us to a variety of complex questions and scenarios. Indeed, a ride on this trolley won’t soon be forgotten.

If you love Paris (and who doesn’t?) then this love letter to French lettering is for you. Graphic designer Louise Fili has been photographing street signs in the city for over 40 years and her book is filled with glorious color reproductions of distinctive typography. Includes classic gold-leaf and dimensional Art Deco, Futurist, and Art Nouveau architectural lettering.

A new mystery series, introducing Commissaire Georges Dupin, a slightly cranky detective who solves his cases via injections of coffee and fine food. In fact, it’s his frequent pauses to partake during the murder investigation that make this novel such a delight.

Bannalec’s descriptions of this quaint coastal region will have you booking a flight there. DEATH IN BRITTANY was our favorite mystery of the year. A most promising debut and we can’t wait for Dupin’s next case.

Last but not least, when the stress-filled holidays come to a roaring end on New Year’s Eve, chances are you’ll be left feeling wiped out and jittery. If so, here’s a gift you can give yourself— an adult coloring book designed to erase the stress and, perhaps, send you into a Zen-like trance. You’ll not only feel relaxed, but you’ll have a book filled with your own colored art. It’s soothing, fun to do, and lovely to look at.

A brainy stocking stuffer for anyone shooting snaps with a smartphone. Instead of a tripod, attach your phone to the GekkoPod and twist the bendable legs around an overhead branch, a bench, a chair – anything you can think of. Want to take a selfie at a skewed Noirish angle? With GekkoPod it’s a snap (no pun intended!). I also discovered another handy use for this little critter. I will often be out at a coffee shop without my laptop and want to catch up on the news while I sip and snack. I use the Gekkopod as a secure stand, so I don’t have to lean the phone against a sliding salt seller. Nice!

The Gekkopod comes with an adaptable mount for phones, GoPro mount, and standard screw for cameras.